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Post by rega non on Sept 1, 2005 9:03:13 GMT 1
Interesting this has come up, I am on my part 2. I really under estimated how hard it would be. I am with the Training Col. My only gripe with them is I don; think they prepare you enough for how strict the examiners are when doing part 2 and 3 I guess. I have failed 2 with same examiner, only then to be told that this examiner doesn't like female driving instrutors. I have heard this from 2 independant ADI's plus my instructor confirmed it! Great huh. Really hard when intrustor, anindependant ADI and even examiner say nothing wrong with my driving, if thats the case why am I failing!. I think I paid £2800 back in Jan this year, includes extra training foc, licenese, but exam fees are extra. Like OP I too need to get out of my job of 13 yrs, but don't make the mistake I did and think it will be easy and won't take long. It isn't easy, and it takes an age!. Good luck with what ever you decide..
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Post by LisaM on Sept 1, 2005 9:53:44 GMT 1
Reg anon.. I'm sorry to hear you're struggling with the part 2 What area are you in? Have you booked the 3rd attempt yet? You are right it is a struggle and the tests are hard. If you are up to scratch with your trainers etc there should be no reason why you're failing. very annoying for you. I would make a complaint about the examiner in question and request to have a different examiner next time... or maybe use another test centre? This will depend on how close your nearest ADI examining test centre is or if other senior examiners are at the current centre to take you. My nearest centre is Folkestone and I think there's one based there and one that will come over from another test centre. You are right that it takes an age! I took about a year and it seems that was quite quick looking back.
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varkie
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Post by varkie on Sept 1, 2005 10:41:03 GMT 1
I qualified to be a driving instructor back in my twenties & did it for 3 years. I did enjoy it, and I'm glad I did it, but I wouldn't do it again!
I was with a big franchise - though not AA or BSM - I wouldn't touch either of them. Round here they don't have a very good name, either for the way they teach their instructors, or the way they teach their students.
As I was with a big franchise, I was paying a lot every week to the company. As a result, I was working from 8am to 9pm six days a week. Also, because I lived in a country village, there was a lot of driving for me, and I was working in two big towns, so a lot of my time was spent driving & money on fuel.
When it came to my exams, I breezed my Part 1, passed Part 2 on the second attempt (only failed first time over one stupid mistake), and passed Part 3 first time. I also took a check test.
The check test really wasn't anything to worry about, and it went quite well - I could have done better, but for my nerves. I was graded a 4, and the examiner said that if it hadn't been my first check test, it would have been a 5 - I was a bit peed off about that! I can't say I enjoyed my check test, but it was ok.
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Post by reg anon on Sept 1, 2005 12:13:18 GMT 1
Hi Lisa I'm in Hampshire, took both tests in Winchester and she is the only ADI examiner there, am thinking about changing and taking it in Southampton just so I don;t get her. It just annoys me that everyone says there is no reason why I failed including her! I really want to do this as it is my only chance of being my own boss and earning the money I do in my current IT job. I will be gutted if I fail and have to wait for another year before I can start again. I have thought about complaing about her, but thought it best to wait until I pass incase I come up against her again I can't believe how petty she has been, acutally the more I type the more I think I will go to SOuthampton!
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Post by LisaM on Sept 1, 2005 12:17:10 GMT 1
Don't be afraid of making a complaint... She cannot treat you like this. One your last test sheet... what exactly did she fail you for? was it just a few too many minors of one major? I would take your next attempt in S/hampton if I were you x A year is a long time to wait. Try not to over pressure yourself, easier said than done! The other option would be to request for your trainer to sit in on your next test. Then you have a decent witness! x
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Post by reg anon on Sept 1, 2005 12:43:35 GMT 1
Hi Lisa Apprecaite your time in responding to me.... I had 8 minors no majors. from what I can remember 1 was travelling to close, which I agree with, another was line disiplince which I dont agree with, the area where she said I picked up a mark for was where 2 lorrys where parked so I had to go around them on a one way street or hit them, 1 mirror check when changing speed, but again I dispute this I did check then braked but she obviously wasn't looking, oh and one which really bugged me was moving off down hill. Obviously hand brake was applied selected 1st gear - applied brake, released hand brake whilst still applying foot brake, did full obs, didn;t indicate as no one around, released foot brake, and clutch moving off... same as did on previous test with no complaints andthis time she gave me a minor for it ?? at the end she said "think about what we're trying to achieve with this" I think I was so gob smacked that I'd failed again, i didn't question her. She is extremly cold towards you as the rumour goes she doesn't like younger and prettier females than her... if the colleague hadn't said anything about the rumour then I wouldn't have believed it. I have thought about asking my instructor to come with me, but then would get embrassed if I failed again.. I am trying to keep it in check but when its something you want so bad it's not that easy...but I'll get there, one day! x
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varkie
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Post by varkie on Sept 1, 2005 12:53:52 GMT 1
Is this the red haired lady?
If so, I'm not sure I agree with your instructors! This lady was an examiner when I was an instructor in Winchester/Southampton. She does come across with a bit of attitude, but when you get talking to her, she is actually ok! I'm sure if she was going to be funny with anyone it would have been me, as when I was teaching, I was only in my mid twenties.
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Post by reg anon on Sept 1, 2005 12:58:19 GMT 1
Hi Varkie No she is blond, used to be an examiner in Basingstoke, now does ADI tests in Winchester.
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Post by LisaM on Sept 1, 2005 14:36:34 GMT 1
errr ok... how steep was the hill for the downhill start? i.e would the car roll of on it's own when the brake's released??
If this is the case the minor would have been for pulling away in 1st not 2nd.. She should've said this tho in the de brief, and it's still remarkably petty!
I was worried when I started out as I was on the road at 22 I'm just 25 now and am the youngest inst in my area. I know how stressful it is. When I finally qualified, I had my pic taken for the 'green' ticket and my face is white as a sheet, bags under my eyes and a face full of cold sores! Keep going you will get there. Anytime you want some support, pm me x
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varkie
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Post by varkie on Sept 1, 2005 20:14:52 GMT 1
Ah, different lady then! Mind you, that made me realise how many years ago it was! Eeek!
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Post by reg anon on Sept 2, 2005 8:24:32 GMT 1
Hi Lisa, In hind sight yes it could have been in 2nd, but thought I would do it the same as I had done previously where I picked no fault up - oh well. Thank you very much for the offer of PM'ing you, I may just do that if thats ok appricate the support. Am going to drive down to Southampton this weeked and take a look and see what I think about driving round the area, and next week will book my 3rd attempt got to find out one way or another haven;t I Your picture sounds like my passport one, my OH asked if I had been beaten with the ugly stick before I went for the picture! ;D Varkie - time flies doesn't it! My cousin had her for her test in basingstoke and said she was really nice, but this was a few years ago too, maybe she lost her sense of humor when she left!
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